Trump fast-tracks sanctions on Russia

(MENAFN) US President Donald Trump indicated on Friday that new sanctions targeting Russia and its trading partners might be implemented ahead of the previously announced deadline aimed at resolving the Ukraine conflict. Speaking to reporters before his trip to Scotland, Trump suggested that secondary sanctions—penalties on countries and entities conducting business with Russia—could be fast-tracked.

“It could be that we’ll have to put secondary sanctions on,” Trump said. When asked if these sanctions might come into effect before the 50-day deadline ending on September 3, he replied that it was a possibility.

Russia has dismissed the threat of new sanctions as an attempt to prolong the conflict on behalf of Kiev. Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergey Ryabkov stated that any potential secondary sanctions would not alter Moscow’s stance, affirming Russia’s commitment to an independent and sustained policy path.

Trump also reaffirmed his belief that a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Vladimir Zelensky will eventually take place, though he did not specify when. “It’s going to happen. But it should have happened three months ago,” he said.

Meanwhile, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov emphasized that such a summit should only finalize agreements rather than initiate talks, highlighting that groundwork must precede any summit to ensure a proper settlement.

MENAFN26072025000045015687ID1109845737